In a decade that saw the release of such science fiction blockbusters as Terminator 2, The Matrix, and Independence Day, The Fifth Element stood out as something completely different: a film with so much style that it made it easy to excuse its relative lack of substance, and which wasn't afraid to be as funny as it was cool.

Science Fiction cinema has changed a lot in the intervening years - it's more mainstream, more franchise-driven, and much less prone to big-budget one-offs. So, how does The Fifth Element hold up after almost 25 years of genre evolution - does it still maintain its unique charm, or has the sheen worn off of this uniquely European vision of the future?

In this episode we emulate Leeloo by diving into a fast-moving stream of debate and discussion about the background, plot, characters, and lasting impact of this fi ...